Section 1 restricts the applicability of the section’s definition of “highway” in order to clarify that road authorities may issue drainage permits along right-of-way within their jurisdictions, including within a city.

Section 2 strikes the description of the Mississippi River Trail bikeway.  The language is moved to a new subdivision 6 (Section 4 in this bill).  The section now provides that MnDOT, in cooperation with road and trail authorities, shall identify state bikeways.

Section 3 broadens the existing statute directing MnDOT to develop linkages between bikeways, striking references to specific bikeways.

Section 4 establishes and describes the Mississippi River Trail bikeway from Itasca State Park, generally following the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.  This language is moved from subdivision 2 (Section 2 in this bill).

Section 5 establishes and describes the James L. Oberstar Memorial Bikeway, originating in St. Paul, and proceeding north to Minnesota’s boundary with Canada.

Section 6 clarifies, within the context of the targeted group business program, the process that occurs when a bidder fails to meet the targeted group business goal.  New language allows the prime contractor to request a waiver, but the commissioner may grant it, based on an established procedure to evaluate good faith, only if the prime contractor has demonstrated good faith efforts to meet the goal.

Section 7 is similar to section 6, but it applies to goals for prime contractors in subcontracting with veteran-owned small businesses.  The prime contractor may request a waiver, and the commissioner may grant it, based on an established procedure to evaluate good faith, only if the prime contractor has demonstrated good faith efforts to meet the goal.

Section 8 relates to the targeted group business program and veteran-owned small business program, and provides that contract awards under these programs may be subject to rules of the Commissioner of Administration.  Current language is mandatory, not permissive.

Section 9 removes Legislative Route No. 275 from the trunk highway system when the Commissioner of Transportation and Lac qui Parle County finalize a turnback agreement.

Section 10 allows for an alternative eminent domain damages appraisal process before the Office of Administrative Hearings (instead of through a commissioners’ hearing) for up to five transportation projects selected by MnDOT.  This section expires June 30, 2017.